India

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to decide within eight weeks on a petition seeking entry of women into the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy through the Combined Defence Services examination, challenging the exclusion of female candidates from these premier institutes.

In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to make a decision within eight weeks regarding a representation advocating for the inclusion of women in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy of the Indian Armed Forces through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination.

This directive comes in response to a petition filed by Kush Kalra, challenging a December 2023 notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) inviting applications for recruitment in the aforementioned academies through the CDS examination.

The petitioner argued that the notification unfairly barred women from participating in the examination for the IMA, INA, and IAF, allowing them only to be considered for Short Service Commission at Officers Training Academy (OTA).

According to the petitioner, with the Ministry of Defence having recently lifted entry barriers for females through the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination, and with an increasing number of female candidates being recruited each year, there is no valid reason to exclude women from the CDS examination for these premier training institutes.

The petitioner contended that the exclusion of eligible female candidates from the opportunity to receive training at these prestigious institutions constitutes a violation of their fundamental right to equality.

The crux of the petitioner's argument lies in the discrepancy between the treatment of unmarried male candidates and eligible female candidates. While unmarried male candidates with adequate qualifications are permitted to take the CDS examination and join the IMA, INA, and IAF, eligible and willing female candidates are denied this opportunity based solely on their gender, without any reasonable or justifiable explanation within the framework of the Constitution.

The petitioner asserts that this act of discrimination undermines the constitutional values of equality and non-discrimination.

The Delhi High Court, acknowledging the petitioner's representation pending with the authorities, has instructed the Centre to decide on the matter within eight weeks in accordance with the law. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to address gender disparities in the Indian Armed Forces and uphold the principles of equality and fairness.